Underneath the typically old fashioned and tourist-friendly exterior, The Royal Mile Pharmacy hides a dark secret. On a recent visit when I nipped in for a pack of chewing gum, the various foul smelling, painfully thin and toothless characters waiting at the counter told me what that dark secret was.
Despite the pleasant exterior, the lather large amount of skagheads that visit this pharmacy for their weekly methodone hit makes it a virtual no-go area at certain times of the day. I've worked on The Royal Mile for about six or seven weeks now, and have already seen two rather sizeable, drink and drug fuelled brawls outside. It really is quite astounding that the powers that be send the junkies here, to the city's main tourist thoroughfare, for their pick-me-up.
Given that heroin addicts aren't known for their early morning "rise and shine" attitudes, as long as you get here before 1pm you'll be alright, and will find a quite lovely little outlet for all your pharmaceutical needs. read more